The phrase 'a picture is worth a
thousand words' was coined by American newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane in 1911.
It’s a simple notion that applies to many aspects of our lives, but especially
to historical photography. Sometimes, one simple picture can tell you more about
history than any story you might read or any document you might
analyze.

Photographs all tell stories about the historical things, figures
or events that they represent. Once taken simply to document their present, they
now help us witness the past. Many photographs only become iconic shots years
later, once we understand their importance and historical context. From
historical landmarks and famous people to the basic daily routines of the past,
these pictures portray the past in a way that we can empathize with and
understand more intimately.

Perhaps the wars, poverty, fights for
freedom and little miracles of the past have lessons for us that we can use
today?